As a young girl writing love letters, my 150th podcast guest always had an inkling she'd be a writer.

It's funny though, that although Linda Sivertsen was always obsessed with books, she didn't think she was smart enough to write her own. 

As she grew her dog walking business, she contemplated something more. Then she had a series of dreams and felt like she'd been tapped on the shoulder to write books. 

But how? She didn't know anything about it! (I can totally relate. But anything is possible.)

She didn't stop there.  She learned the rules. (Sounds like curiosity to me.)

Hmm, she thought, "It can't be that hard - I'll figure it out."

Turns out that she became really good at writing for others, and at book proposals because she kept getting rejected. (Resilience.)

And then she kept being asked to help others write their proposals (through connections).

She learned, and researched, then she shared with those inquiring, and eventually found herself with a thriving book writing business.

How'd she do it?  Through dogged effort. And with these thoughts in mind.

• Each little successful moment builds momentum, which creates excitement.
• If you stick with it long enough, you'll have more wins.
• Because it's not always a clear path, you need to know what you love and follow what you love (joy). Without that fuel you won't continue.
• You can't escape it, if you're meant to do it.

Thankfully Linda learned all she did. Because now there are many more people being shown the beauty of writing a book, and on their way to changing the world with their hearts and their art.

As Linda told me during our conversation, "I don't do it half ass."

Thank goodness for that!

And so many of the themes in our conversation are related to my book chapters.  Imagine that?

More about Linda:

Linda Sivertsen, “Book Mama,” is in LOVE with books—reading, writing, and selling them. Her titles have won awards and hit all the lists as an author, co-author, and former magazine editor and ghostwriter. But her driving force has been to publish sustainably. Naïve and optimistic enough to believe in magic, she’s on a mission to save forests via her role as a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Ambassador. When she’s not fostering literary love matches on her Beautiful Writers Podcast (a favorite stop for writers on tour), writing, and promoting Beautiful Writers, or midwifing books at her Carmel or virtual writing retreats, Linda can be found on the back of a horse or running with her dogs. She and her husband live on their ranch in Scottsdale, Arizona.

www.bookmama.com. 

And check out my bestselling book:

Peace, Possibilities, and Perspective:
8 Secrets to Serenity and Satisfaction in Your Life and Career

https://2possibilityandbeyond.com/my-book

As a young girl, her parent's separation was a life-changing event.

But attending camp at age 7 ignited a new found curiosity and fascination with nature.

Toni Anderson knew she'd found her happy place.

Through her life and career, she marched on and struggled, becoming scrappy along the way.

Over the course of her career she began:

• Helping teams understand human relations
• Escaping to nature
• Healing, nurturing, and offering love

And when she'd struggle, she didn't know those moments were gifts. Who ever really does?

She explains that challenges are entry points to possibilities.

You are not being derailed.  You are getting clarity.

She learned to be radically honest with herself.

What are you scared of, she'd ask herself.

What do you desire and WHY?

For crying out loud, ask yourself WHY.

It's the ultimate question.

More about Toni:

tonianderson.life

And check out my bestselling book:

Peace, Possibilities, and Perspective:
8 Secrets to Serenity and Satisfaction in Your Life and Career

https://2possibilityandbeyond.com/my-book

From thinking she’d be a pediatric cardiologist to becoming a cyberspace engineer, my guest this week reminds me that life sometimes takes you in different directions.

We all know that right?

Marilyn Barrios was searching for more than a job. She wanted to help people, have an impact and help others be their best in the moments that matter.

Turns out she was great in an early sales role. Soon technical methods, engineering solutions and solving problems were her wheelhouse. She was enthralled with those concepts.

Now she's a senior leader at Motorola, but not by accident. She arrived there through many winding roads. Each time she made a change and was thinking about a new role, she asked herself how she could find something she was drawn to in that new place.

She told herself: I can define that role and develop what I want it to be. Bring your strengths to the role, she reminded herself.

• Be open, who knows what doors will open for you?
• Be prepared, but you don't have to know it all.

Do you feel fear?

That means it's a stretching opportunity for growth. Your development will always feel that way. It will be a little stretch and a little fear.

If you think about your life as being mission driven, it's easier to line up with the opportunities and not let fear get in your way.

Marilyn had so many missed opportunities and wished she would have learned that sooner.

In general, she wishes she had discovered sooner that you're not always going to be happy. You might feel crappy for a while. That's OK.

Think about how long it will take you to process and give yourself that time, and then ask yourself: what can I control?

You don't need to know it all.

Just sit with the things that are uncomfortable and ask yourself:

• What can I learn from this?
• What's the plan moving forward?
• Where will I be empowered?

Much of the time, you have a lot of control over the outcomes.  Look for those opportunities. 

You don't need to know it all.                                                       

More about Marilyn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilyn22/

And check out my bestselling book:

Peace, Possibilities, and Perspective:
8 Secrets to Serenity and Satisfaction in Your Life and Career

https://2possibilityandbeyond.com/my-book

My guest this week, Lisa Anderson, did not want to be tied down.

She wanted peace and freedom.

Who can relate to that? I'm guessing all of us.

Along her career journey, she was told by many people "I love the way you talk".

And she began to wonder what other work she would be able to do, working for herself.  She knew this would mean she could control her income and depend on herself.

Like her, you CAN concentrate on what you WANT to create!

She urges us to remember:

• Don't let fear hold you back
• Follow your gut instincts
• You have more options than you realize

At the end of the day Lisa's positive attitude always has her focusing on the solution. 

There is always at least one. Read that again.

If you're having trouble in any aspect of your life, she'd say to you "Let's go - there is a solution!"

I couldn't agree more.

More about Lisa:

Highly compassionate, creative, and intuitive, Lisa Anderson is a compelling Intuitive Life & Business Coach whose sole mission is to leverage her powerful gift to support others with their individual personal, spiritual & professional growth journeys. As the Founder and Owner of Krisallis, Lisa enjoys being able to help others move past their barriers in order to move forward on their life's paths. Lisa's Clarity Readings, Coaching Programs, Signature Events, and Weekly Content are truly cultivating, meaningful, and strikes transformations that surface authenticity and soul awakening.

https://www.krisallis.com/business-coaching
https://www.krisallis.com/growwithoutboundaries/categories/business
https://www.krisallis.com/faq
Twitter: krisallis1
Instagram: krisallisintuitivecoach

And check out my bestselling book:

Peace, Possibilities, and Perspective:
8 Secrets to Serenity and Satisfaction in Your Life and Career

https://2possibilityandbeyond.com/my-book

My guest this week had a successful, albeit stressful, marketing and advertising career. For years she did whatever it took to meet the needs of her clients. And she was really good at it. But she was overspent.

Imagine that!

Eventually she began to ponder about doing more for a different impact.

Victoria knew she loved leading people and getting the best out of them.  So she sought more insight. Then she became a coach, helping even more people.

After discussing success and options, we both agreed education can make all the difference.

That's why she started Trace of Hope, an organization that helps students pay for college.

She's learned many things over the years, in corporate America and while having her own business.

Some advice from Victoria:

• Always try to look at your situation differently
• Assure people when listening: I heard you, I understand you
• Be open to different experiences
• Seek out a mentor

When you're overspent, seeking a new way to make an impact and use your gifts to help others, is definitely possible.  Just ask Victoria!

More about Victoria:

Victoria Repka-Geller is an executive coach specializing in career and business transformation, as well as as a marketing strategist, with 19+ years experience in Branding, Marketing & Advertising for Fortune 500 companies. She was featured in the WSJ’s The High Cost of Avoiding Conflict at Work and Barbara Stanny’s Sacred Success. Victoria’s customizable 5-step programs — Power over Your Career and Power over Your Business — provide roadmaps for executive and business positive ROI and success.

In addition to her professional pursuits, Victoria founded the non-profit Trace of Hope Inc., which strives to help break the cycle of poverty by alleviating student debt through their Direct-to-Recipient (DTR) grant giving rounds. Trace of Hope aggregates donations of any size, and makes grants directly to students in such a way that donors see firsthand who benefits from their generosity. (Want to help a student? No donation is too small or, dare we hope, too big! Contact us at donations@traceofhope.org)

victoria@loamlife.com

And check out my bestselling book:

Peace, Possibilities, and Perspective:
8 Secrets to Serenity and Satisfaction in Your Life and Career

https://2possibilityandbeyond.com/my-book

Syda Segovia Taylor is a champion for social justice, wellness and healing.

From a student at UIC, to a dance teacher and health advocate.  She's been fighting for what's right since she was a young girl.

Her parents and her family came to America because they thought "you can do anything here". But she learned very quickly: wait, no you can't!

She realized early on that it wasn't as simple as her parents had thought or planned. And that began her journey to social justice.

She began to ask questions and look around - trying to see who needed help to fit in, and become more.

Then she beat cancer, and wanted to see how she could use that experience to help others and be of service.

She became much more aware of wellness and appreciating life.

Now, she wants to build a fortress of wellness, joy and strength.

Her best advice during our chat:

We're all gems in a mine; keep chipping away until you discover the gem.

Figure out the tools you need to help you shine, but keep the rest of humanity in mind.

More about Syda:

Syda Segovia Taylor has 25 years of experience connecting opportunities with Black and Latino youth and families in Chicago. She prides herself of being a social justice advocate by promoting the oneness of humankind, environmental justice and physical/spiritual health.

Syda is the founder and executive director of a nonprofit called Organic Oneness established in 2019. Together with her 9 board members, countless volunteers and multitude of community partners, they promote the interconnectedness of all people and the Earth through community trainings, programs, and events. Through Organic Oneness, Syda is also promoting a “Fortress of Wellness” to help social activist prevent illness, burn-out, and compassion fatigue.

“We are a part of one world and every race, age and gender are needed to advance society. Emotions and logic are both valid just as arts and sciences are equally important.” -Syda

@OrganicOneness on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and Youtube
Syda's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/syda-segovia-taylor-m-a-414a4629/
Syda’s talk on BahaiTeachings.com can be watched here: Healing the Trauma of Racism and Violence
Most recent article on how it Organic Oneness started: A Community Organizer, Inspired by Her Baha’i Faith, Works to Bring Healing
Rainn Wilson Podcast: Episode 26 - Syda and Kelsey

And check out my bestselling book:

Peace, Possibilities, and Perspective:
8 Secrets to Serenity and Satisfaction in Your Life and Career

https://2possibilityandbeyond.com/my-book

Elizabeth Cohen once thought she wanted to be a math teacher. Then she discovered psychology. And boy did she adore psychology.

Like many of us at certain points in our lives, she was very clear that she was going to do this.

But when she finished her psychology degree and decided to pursue an advanced degree, she was not accepted. 

So she gave up and completely changed directions.

No, no, just kidding.  She tried again.  And in her case, the 2nd time was the charm.

She reminds us:

• We can't blame outside issues for our inside problems
• Turn inward, and ask "what do I need?"
• Ask the other person: do you want me to listen or suggest?
• You HAVE to find something that lights you up
• Self care is monumentally important

Every day you spend hating what you're doing, you're taking years off your life. 

Because we're practicing the same thing over and over, we're essentially training our brain to be UNHAPPY!

In summary, you're not ever really stuck.

The brick wall you're seeing isn't a room.  It's just a wall - maybe in the middle of a beautiful field. 

Look around, over, under, and beside you.

There's always something else to see.

More about Elizabeth:

drelizabethcohen.com

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-divorce-doctor/id1439183765

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedivorcedoctor/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethCohenPhD Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-cohen-715333135/

Link to Newsletter: https://broken-shape-112.ck.page/1cd4e82d8e

http://drelizabethcohen.com/about/

https://amzn.to/3bdWgY3

And check out my bestselling book:

Peace, Possibilities, and Perspective:
8 Secrets to Serenity and Satisfaction in Your Life and Career

https://2possibilityandbeyond.com/my-book

Cynthia James is a risk taker at heart. When she was younger she was preoccupied with surviving.

But little by little, she moved from welfare to possibilities in part, because of her grandma's wisdom. She kept planting seeds, encouraging Cynthia to think bigger. And she went from being a flight attendant to Miss Minnesota, then becoming an actor and a singer!

There are a lot of good nuggets in our conversation.

Mainly, Cynthia thinks it's important to know: what lights you up? 

And to ask yourself: what would you do for free?

My favorite thing she said was: fear is nothing but energy and info.

We're always evolving and growing.  There will be fear, but it's normal and it's just energy. Use it to your advantage.

And stay away from the people telling you that you can't.

Keep your mind on the CAN.

More about Cynthia:

It took Cynthia James many decades to find her authentic voice; today, she supports clients around the world to do the same. In this accessible, inspiring guide, she examines why uncovering your own voice is so important and shares tools and guidance for how to get there.

Acclaimed Author -  https://www.amazon.com/Does-Voice-Matter-Self-Discovery-Authenticity-ebook/dp/B09NNF8VLJ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3F0FEWZ1AI1VV&keywords=does+my+voice+matter&qid=1658353064&sprefix=does+my+voice%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-1

Singer/songwriter -  https://cynthiajames.net/chosen-cd-release/

And check out my bestselling book:

Peace, Possibilities, and Perspective:
8 Secrets to Serenity and Satisfaction in Your Life and Career

https://2possibilityandbeyond.com/my-book